Scarlet Rose

Chapter 6 - A Very Sad Story

Count Shiro and Wayne were not present at dinner, as Margareth had informed Kath that they had gone to one of the places where the turned vampires nest was located. So Katherine ate only with Margareth, then went to her room to read books taken from the house library earlier. After a while, however, she heard a knock on the door, and then Margareth peered into the room.

- What's the matter? Hope it's something important...- Katherine spoke up, slightly annoyed, because she wanted to read in peace, and the book was very absorbing.

- I'm sorry to disturb you, my lady.- said Margareth, entering the room.- But when I was checking the library to see if everything there was left in order, I noticed that you were reading a book on the history of vampires.- she explained.- I have the impression that you are much more interested in count Akira and count Williams, than you show, my lady.- Margareth admitted with a slight smile.- But there are no individual stories in that book you read, so if you want I can tell you more or less about the Akira and Williams clan. However, I must warn you that this is a very sad story.- she added.

Katherine looked at Margareth, and even though she tried to contain her excitement, felt that could hardly hide the curiosity that showed on her face.

- I thought so.- dr Stone replied, slightly amused that she didn't need to hear a single word from her lips to make sure Kath wanted to hear their story.- Let me start with the history of the Williams clan. Before the Great s*******r in Lord's year 1000, Mark and Sylvia were the leaders of the Williams clan. They had four children, James, Anabelle, Stephen and Rebekah, and the last two later became husband and wife.- at these words of Margareth, disgust appeared on Katherine's face.- I know it sounds scandalous to humans, but in the world of pure blooded vampires, sibling marriages are normal, especially when it comes to keeping the clan's blood pure.- she explained.- Anabelle married Tanabe from Japanese Akira clan, James married Inez, the sister of Esther from the Spanish Rodriguez clan, who survived the Great s*******r. He had five children, which is rare among pure blooded vampires. They were four daughters - Rosemary, India, Linda and Elizabeth - and one son, John. Only Rosemary and India survived the Great s*******r, and now they are both married to sons from the French Merieux family. Steven and Rebekah had three children, a daughter, named Wendy, and male twins, Ethan and Wayne.- Margareth continued the story.

- Wait a minute... You mean that count Williams has a twin brother?- Katherine interjected, increasingly interested in the story.

- Rather, he had a twin brother.- Margareth corrected her.- Both Ethan and Wendy, parents and grandparents died in the Great s*******r. Only Wayne and his cousins Rosemary and India survived from the Williams clan.- she took a deep breath before continuing.- Usually, when twins are born in a pure blooded vampire clan, it is a cause for great joy, because when they turn a thousand years old, they become very powerful, especially while being together. Unfortunately, when the Great s*******r happened, Ethan and Wayne were too young. From what count Williams told me, Ethan was few minutes older, always felt responsible for Wayne and had very similar personality to Shiro, so he decided to save at least his brother. Ethan literally forcibly pushed Wayne into the tunnel under the Williams mansion and closed the door, stopping the turned vampires himself. Of course, Ethan couldn't handle them alone, so he died. At that time, Wayne reached the underground bunker through a network of tunnels, where most of the Spanish Rodriguez and French Merieux clans were already. As it turned out later, they, as two of many clans, survived in bigger numbers, but only because they gave up fighting and almost immediately escaped through the tunnels.- Margareth concluded.

- What a bunch of cowards...- Katherine said indignantly.

- Perhaps you are right, but on the other hand, these two clans thought more about preserving the species, instead of fighting unequally and getting killed.- Margareth replied in a lecturing tone.- This allowed the pure blooded vampires to rebuild their strength and defeat the turned in the ensuing battle, killing the vast majority of them.- she added.

Katherine said nothing, just lowered her head.

- As for the Akira clan... - Margareth started another story -... before the Great s*******r, the leaders were also siblings and a married couple in one, Usagi and her brother Hoshino. They first had two daughters, Miko and Itsuki, who married two brothers from the Youtaka clan and had their own children with them. After that, Usagi and Hoshino also had a son, Tanabe, who married Anabelle Williams, Wayne's aunt. They became Shiro's parents.- she pointed out.- Then, in year 1000, as we already know, there was the Great s*******r, during which the entire Akira and Youtaka clans were wiped out, just like all the Asian pure blooded vampire clans. Shiro only survived thanks to his mother, who also forcefully pushed him into the tunnel and blocked the door. After Shiro reached the bunker where Wayne and the two clans, Rodriguez and Merieux, were, he wanted to return to Japan as soon as possible, especially when it became known that the turned vampires had made the Akira residence their main nest in Asia. Of course, the other pure blood vampires dissuaded him from doing so, convincing that they had to prepare well for the fight in order to defeat the turned.- Margareth paused for a moment before continuing.- Shiro obeyed and greatly contributed to the recruitment of the turned vampires who wanted to go to the pure blooded side, and in negotiating with other creatures to get help from them. In the end, it was he who persuaded one of the most powerful witches to protect them during the great battle with the turned vampires in year 1120. Later, count Akira also had a fair share in persuading the human hunters to sign a mutual aid pact with pure blood vampires. Since then, pure blood vampires and human hunters have been working together to get rid of turned vampires, especially those wild ones. Unfortunately, Akira's clan residence has become one of the main fortresses of the turned, and so far no one has managed to conquer it. Count Williams took in his cousin and so Shiro took up residence in this mansion. Count Akira is currently 2050 years old, and count Williams is 2039 years old. Along with Vern Merieux, they are the only bachelors among pure blooded vampires, except that Vern is much younger than them, so naturally the clans put most pressure on Shiro and Wayne to pick one of the maids and get married, but for the time being they want to focus on hunting turned vampires, especially their leader, Antoine.- she added at the end.

- Well, it indeed is a very sad story.- Katherine admitted, not sure what else to say, especially since she was really starting to feel ashamed of her earlier behavior. Kath had so far only lost her mother, and was surrounded by the love of her older brother and father. On the other hand, count Akira and his cousin, count Williams... They lost their entire family in a short time, in addition, not because of disease or some natural causes, but because of the s*******r made by those wild vampires, and now they had only themselves. Of course, as vampires, they must have spent much more time with their loved ones, after all, each of them lived over 2,000 years... But that didn't change the fact that they lost practically all of them at the same time and in such a brutal way. Additionally, Shiro lost his family house along with the whole clan. Katherine didn't even want to imagine the pain each of them could feel, if she suffered so much after losing only her mother, on top of that it was nobody's fault, if, of course, the version with the disease was true. Katherine was also not surprised that both Shiro and his cousin seemed to be chasing these wild vampires quite fiercely, they certainly wanted vengeance for the loss of loved ones, their whole families.

- Yes, it is very sad, even tragic.- Margaret concluded, looking at her carefully.- And I told it to give you something to think about and maybe change your attitude, my lady. I hope this story will help you feel more understanding and empathy to those who saved your life, lady Katherine.- she added, looking at her meaningfully.

Katherine said nothing, just lowered her head again, playing with the ornate bow that adorned her dress.

- Could you leave me alone now... please?- Katherine asked politely, probably for the first time, since being here, using a pleading tone.

- Of course, my lady.- replied Margareth, rising from the bed. There was a distinct surprise in her voice.- Have a good day, miss O'Sullivan.- she added, leaving her room.

Katherine wanted to read the book again, but couldn't concentrate as she kept thinking about the story dr Stone had told her. Yes, she was still angry about having to spend some time in a mansion full of vampires, but also felt really sorry for what had happened to count Akira and his cousin.

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Shiro and Wayne returned to the mansion near the evening, just in time for supper. When Katherine sat down with Margareth at the other end of the table and looked at them, they both looked really exhausted, which was surprising to her considering that count Akira and count Williams were pure blooded vampires, in addition more than 2,000 years old.

- Count Akira, count Williams...- Margareth spoke up to them, with a slightly concerned expression on her face.- How did your trip to the turned vampires nest go?- she asked.

- Really hard, this nest was full of these wild creatures.- Wayne replied, clearly slightly annoyed by this.- But on the other hand, we got rid of a lot of turned in one go.- he admitted with a slight smile.

- No matter how hard it was, the most important thing is that we managed to cope with the task and removed one of the largest nests.- Shiro joined him with a serious face.

- Yes, it's true.- Margareth admitted.- But anyway, or even more so, you both should have a good rest now.- she pointed out and her tone instantly reminded everyone that Margareth Stone was a doctor after all.

- Don't worry, Maggie, we'll have some rest for sure.- Wayne assured, winking at her.

- I'm not so worried about you, count Williams. I know you are more willing to rest.- Margareth remarked quite seriously, but couldn't hide her smile, and to Katherine that watched her carefully it even seemed that she blushed slightly. But then Margareth looked at Shiro meaningfully, completely turning her face into a serious one.

- Yes, I know.- Shiro sighed resignedly.- I promise I'll try to get a good rest before getting back to work.- he assured, looking at her, and even placed the right hand on his chest, where the heart was.

- Relax, Maggie, I'll keep an eye on him.- added Wayne, smiling even wider, but when Shiro shot him a disgruntled look, Wayne's smile faded a bit.

Katherine watched the three with no little interest. It was hard to believe they were two aged vampires and a human woman. They were almost family-like, and Margareth, despite being the youngest, seemed to take on the role of eldest sister, if not a mother, of those two pure blooded vampires. And they, Wayne in particular, did not seem unhappy with the fact that they were lectured by humans. At this point, they really seemed to be like the twenty-year-olds they looked like on their faces, and since Margareth was 35, she actually looked older at first glance and could be considered their guardian to an ordinary observer. Katherine even wondered, if she would live in this mansion as long as Margareth did, if she would be on the same friendly terms with those pure blooded vampires and their turned servants.

- And how was your day, lady Katherine?- Wayne suddenly turned to her, once again wearing that smile that made his face even more beautiful than usual.

- My day?- she said, surprised.- Well...- Katherine broke off, unable to gather her thoughts, because after one look at Wayne's face, her head went blank.

- Wayne.- Shiro glared at him, making his cousin a little more serious, which in turn made Katherine better able to focus on her thoughts. Then Shiro turned a much softer look at her.- I'm actually curious too... How was your day, lady O'Sullivan? How do you feel in our house? Does everything suit you? Do you have any wishes?- he asked, and it was clear from his face that the answers to these questions were very important to him.

- Well... Katherine began, not sure how to answer.- Today I mostly read books that I allowed myself to borrow from the house library.- she continued, looking at Shiro a bit shyly, because the sight of his burgundy eyes staring at her in this way had a strange effect on Kath, one that she couldn't explain.- As for my well-being, count Akira... Overall I feel good and I don't really need anything. Of course, except for coming back to my family, but I understand that you cannot fulfill this request... At least for now.- she pointed out with a slight resentment, but much more politely than before. Katherine felt that even if wanted to, she wouldn't be able to get as angry as before.

- I understand.- Shiro replied shortly, and before he turned his head, she saw the clear sadness in his eyes and the guilt again on his face.

Katherine suddenly felt bad that this expression was her fault.

- Count Akira...- she spoke up, turning his face to her again.- Please don't blame yourself, it's not your fault that your blood has such properties. I understand that you wanted to save me, count, and I am eternally grateful. Also, I apologize for my shameful behavior.- Katherine added with a rather awkward expression, which only showed that she rarely, if ever, apologized to someone.

- It's already forgiven, lady O'Sullivan.- Shiro replied, his face brightening and even a small smile appeared on it.- And I assure you that I will do everything in my power so that you, my lady, and Margareth, would be able to leave our property soon.- he added with clear determination in his eyes.

- Of course.- said Wayne, who, like Margareth, had been watching the two of them with curiosity for a long time.- Well, since there has been an apology, we can say that we've buried the battle ax.- he continued, and Margareth smiled a little wider.- All in all, it's a good thing, especially if we are to spend some time with each other, am I right?- added Wayne, smiling brightly again.

- You're right, Count Williams.- Margareth agreed with him.

- Yes, that's true.- Shiro confirmed shortly.

Katherine just nodded slightly, then focused eyes at her plate.

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Soon afterwards, when the meal was finished, everyone went to their rooms. Margareth sent a maid to help Katherine change into her nightgown.

Kath noticed that she felt more and more comfortable around the vampire servants. Yes, she still felt a certain fear, but the fact that neither of them had hurt her so far made Katherine feel a little confident that she was safe in their company. In addition, Marie, the young maid who helped her dress from the very beginning, started to speak more confidently and told interesting stories from her life, both as a human and after turning into a vampire, also about how she ended up in the counts' mansion.

Marie was a short, black-haired girl with a small figure, and said that before transformation she had black eyes instead of red. She was born into a fairly wealthy, middle-class family and had two older brothers who were already married, one with five children. Marie's father was a merchant, and mother sew beautiful clothes for both men and women. Her skills were known both in their small town and in the neighboring areas. One day the news reached their town that wolves had appeared in the nearby forests, or at least so it was thought at the beginning, when forest animals began to disappear and the forest began to empty. But when the livestock was found with their necks torn and bloodless bodies, the Councils of Elders from all the towns in the area realized they were dealing with something more dangerous than wolves, so the decision was made to raise money together to hire a professional vampire hunter. But before this could be done, people began to disappear from the towns, including the one where Marie lived. And, unfortunately, she herself became one of the first victims. However, after the transformation, she noticed that had not completely lost her humanity like the others. Marie rebelled against the elder vampires in her nest, refused to go out to hunt and transform other people, for which she was severely punished, but it did not break her, and instead Marie escaped when a town hired hunter finally arrived and began vampire hunting, destroying the nest. She ran for a long time through forests, avoiding places settled by people, because felt that she could attack them, if only because of hunger. Marie drank mainly the blood of animals, but sometimes humans crossed her path and she could not always refrain from biting them, but knowing that they could transform into a beast like her, she cut off their heads which, besides burning the corpses, was an equally effective way of preventing the bitten person from turning into vampire. Eventually, Marie found herself in another nest of turned vampires, under attack by count Akira and count Williams. They wanted to kill her, but she begged them to at least listen, they agreed and Marie told her story. When they asked if she would join them, Marie agreed without hesitation, so they took her to their mansion, after which they gave her their blood. As a human, she lived 16 years, and was a vampire for only 14, so she was 30 years old inclusive. But of course she still had a teenage, almost a kid's, face, which made her look kind of weird in the maid's clothes.

Marie knew very well that by joining pure blood vampires she brought the anger of all the turned on her, and was a traitor to them. But she did not want to be part of their sick plan to constantly increase their numbers and thereby destroy the lives of thousands of people. Besides, Marie was sure that in this mansion, with the blood of count Akira and Williams inside of her, she could feel completely safe. She was also glad to know that there were more vampires like her who think the same way and rebeled against the entire 'turned vampire community', if they could be called like that, because according to her, the words 'herd', 'pack', 'horde' or 'brood' fit much better.

When Katherine, already dressed and clean, lied down in the warm sheets, she regretted a little that Marie had to go. Kath was surprised to find that she could have been listening to this young vampire girl stories all night long. And to think that not so long ago she was afraid to even be in her company! Katherine could see that, in general, her attitude to being in this mansion changed gradually. Not only did she feel safer and safer among the vampire servants, but seemed to like Margareth more and more, though it still annoyed her that this woman could bring her to order without hesitation, not paying attention at all to her whims. Katherine also no longer felt such a dislike of both counts, at times they really seemed to her to be someone worthy of trying to make friends with. She also had to honestly admit to herself that both Wayne and Shiro were very good-looking. They were different in so many ways, but each had their own charm. Wayne seemed to be a natural seducer with a bright personality, which was odd considering his painful past and loss of family, especially twin brother, also his confidence and the ability to use words certainly helped him win over everyone, especially ladies.

Shiro, on the other hand, was the opposite of his cousin. Calm, serious, reticent, but firm when necessary, he didn't try to charm anyone, but still had something that attracted others to him. Count Akira had a dark aura around him, and he was much more similar to the image of a vampire Katherine had seen in the fantasy books she read. He also seemed to be very honest about his guilt over the situation he had put Katherine into. But she, especially after learning about Shiro's story, did not want to be the cause of his sadness. He was in too much pain already, and no matter how mean Katherine wanted to be, she couldn't torture those who had enough wounds to their heart. Sprinkling salt on those wounds or driving daggers into them again was far too cruel.